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Prototipazione Virtuale
Virtual Prototyping
Maura Mengoni

Seat Ingegneria
A.A. 2015/2016
Credits 9
Hours 72
Period I
Language ENG

Prerequisites
No

Learning outcomes
The course aims to provide knowledge of the methods for the integrated use of geometrical modeling and simulation tools used to support the processes of design/manufacturing. The course addresses issues related to vertical modeling in specific applications

Program
The course aims at providing methods and tools for the creation of virtual prototypes and their use in design and product validation as well as multimodal and multi-sensorial interaction technologies with particular attention to usability and ergonomics. The course program is based on the following topics: user-centered design methods and systematic approach to product design, advanced systems supporting design and representation, virtual prototyping environments and architectures, solid and surface modeling, principles of geometric modeling, virtual humans and tracking techniques, principles of human-computer interaction, new interaction paradigms based on multimodal, multi-sensorial, desktop or immersive technologies, applications and technologies of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, Reverse Engineering techniques. Numerous case studies from industry will be used and practical exercises will be carried out to design and represent manufacturing products with high technological, functional, aesthetic and ergonomics values.

Development of the examination
LEARNING EVALUATION METHODS
The learning evaluation is based on two methods: 1) intermediate evaluations of the assigned project (three partial tests) along the course through the presentation of the achieved design outcomes; 2) the final assessemnt of the project through the presentation of the final results and an oral exam to evaluate the learned abilities and competences on design methods and tools for Virtual Prototyping.

LEARNING EVALUATION CRITERIA
The student learning is assessed by the verification of the intermediate results achieved during tutorials about methods and tools to perform the assigned project, the quality of the final project and finally the student competence on the course topics. In particular, criteria for the evaluation of intermediate results are: skill on using CAD tools for the representation of solids and surfaces, ability to apply both systematic design approaches and user-centred design methods in product development, competences in adopting virtual prototyping techniques to analyze physical ergonomics. Criteria for the evaluation of the final project are: knowledge of information gathering techniques to create a complete list of user needs and product requirements, ability to think about social and ethical effects of product design to include people with disabilities and/or frailties, competence of problem-solving and identify feasible and innovative design solutions, ability to use proper tools to represent design ideas and analyze the achieved outcomes and finally, ability for team working. Finally, criteria to assess the oral exam are: knowedge of the course topics, skill of analysis and synthesis, ability to apply the achieved competences in specific domains, ability to clearly communicate ideas, concepts and to correlate them.

LEARNING MEASUREMENT CRITERIA
The measurement of the student learning is carried out by the assignment of a score to a set of evaluation metrics that differ according to the type of evaluation (i.e. intermediate tests, final project, oral exam) in order to reach the maximum score of 30/30 and laude. Metrics for the evaluation of intermediate tests will be illustrated at the beginning of the course. Metrics for the evaluation of the final project are: degree of the proposed design innovation, level of project detail and achieved quality, correctness of drawings, models, analysis reports, number of functions that are implemented in the product, degree of product ergonomics and usability. Metrics for the evaluation of the oral exam regard the quality of the presentation and the competences matured on the course topics. In the intermeditate tests students must present the results of their work through a Powerpoint presentation. In the final exam, students must present the final outcome through: 1) a paper in A0 format containing sketches, functional diagrams, 2D drawings, renderings, tables summing up the results of the performed analysis; 2) a CD-ROM containing CAD models files (e.g. parts and assemblies) and a thesis with a synthetic description of the project.

FINAL MARK ALLOCATION CRITERIA
The final score is 32 that allows the student to achieve 30/30 and laude. It takes care of the evaluation of the intermediate tests (3/32), the final project (22/32) and the oral exam (7/32).

Recommended reading
Burdea G.G. and Coiffet P., 2003, “Virtual Reality Technology“, Wiley-Interscience Pahl G., Beiz W., Wallace K., Blessing L.T.M. and Bauert F., 1995, “Engineering Design: A systematic Approach“, Springer Wilson C., 2011, “Handbook of User-Centered Design

Courses

• Ingegneria Meccanica (Corso di Laurea Magistrale (DM 270/04))